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Sontag, Susan; Kael, Pauline (Subjects) & Seligman, Craig (Author) : Sontag & Kael: Opposites Attract Me

Counterpoint Publications, New York City, NY, 2004

ISBN 1582433119

First Edition / First Printing. Fine in Fine Dust Jacket. 244 pages. The author's breakthrough debut book. Now widely considered a contemporary classic. The First Hardcover Edition. Precedes and should not be confused with all other subsequent editions. Published in a small and limited first print run as a hardcover original only. The First Edition is now scarce. Presents Craig Seligman's "Sontag & Kael: Opposites Attract Me". A passionate critical study on its binary subjects. "Seligman's thesis is very simple: He sees and assesses the two writers, both immensely influential, as complete opposites, one of whom he reveres (Sontag), the other, he loves (Kael). Were he forced to choose, he would choose the latter" (Publisher's blurb). The single best appraisal of Seligman's fascinating thesis is by Philip Kennicott: "Seligman's very good book isn't flawed by its prejudice for Kael. Rather, it's rendered more human. The love shines through. But a book about Kael and Sontag shouldn't dodge the issue of influence. Kael was a delight to read, but the Kael style - the bitchiness, the unrelenting certainty of opinion - has been a malign force in American criticism, which all too often burbles along as a stream of witty one-liners and provocative pronouncements. Sontag and Kael may represent poles of an argument about art and style, but we must not lose sight of our need for less Kael and more Sontag. When Sontag warned us, in the aftermath of 9/11, that while we should grieve together, we must not be stupid together, she was warning us against making the kind of movie Kael's detractors accused her of loving. Do not go to war in the name of narrative simplicity, do not be bloodthirsty, do not seek revenge. Sontag was right, clear-headed, and prescient. Kael was never the political animal that Sontag was, and thus she was never as heroically right about anything as Sontag is. Kael was a talent; Sontag is a genius" (The Washington Post). An absolute "must-have" title for Susan Sontag, Pauline Kael, and Craig Seligman collectors. This title is now collectible. This is one of few copies of the First Hardcover Edition/First Printing still available online and is in especially fine condition: Clean, crisp, and bright, a pristine beauty. Please note: Copies available online have serious flaws, are subsequent printings, or are remainder-marked. This is surely an accessible and lovely alternative. A scarce copy thus. One of the most brilliant critics of our time on two of the most influential and important writers of the 20th century. A fine copy. (SEE ALSO OTHER SUSAN SONTAG AND PAULINE KAEL TITLES IN OUR CATALOG). ISBN 1582433119.

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